MEET ROBERT SOUTHWELL

Fraud and Evasion

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Defending Your Rights Against Fraud Charges


You received a call from a detective. Law enforcement questioned you about financial records, stolen identity information, or business dealings. Now you’re facing fraud allegations that could cost you your career, reputation, and freedom.

I’m Robert Southwell, a fraud attorney defending people accused of white collar and fraud-related crimes in Oregon state courts. As a former prosecutor, I understand exactly how the state builds these cases and where their evidence falls apart.
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10+

YEARS OF

EXPERIENCE

84%

CASE SUCCESS

RATE*

500+

SATISFIED
CLIENTS

5 STAR

RATING ON

GOOGLE

* Cases that were: dismissed, acquitted at trial, beat highest charge, or client was satisfied with outcome.

ABOUT

robert southwell criminal defense lawyer

Attorney Robert Southwell, a nationally recognized criminal defense lawyer, has successfully litigated countless cases, helping thousands reclaim their freedom.

When Transactions Become Criminal Charges

Oregon fraud investigations often begin quietly: a detective’s call, a search warrant, or law enforcement asking about financial records, documents, or online activity. State prosecutors assume criminal intent before hearing your side. Business disputes become theft by deception, and shared account access becomes identity theft. You need a fraud defense lawyer who understands Oregon’s fraud statutes, challenges weak evidence, and protects your rights from the very first contact.

man needing a fraud attorney

Types of Fraud I Defend in Oregon

Oregon fraud cases take many forms, and each type carries its own charges, evidence, and defense strategy. Prosecutors routinely overcharge these cases, treating routine emails, billing errors, or shared account access as proof of criminal intent when the evidence simply doesn’t support it. At my practice, I defend business owners, medical providers, and individuals whose legitimate conduct has been misread as fraud.

Whether you’re facing wire fraud, mail fraud, insurance fraud, healthcare fraud, or credit card fraud charges, as your fraud defense attorney I examine every transaction, communication, and piece of evidence the state relies upon and build a defense that exposes exactly where their case falls apart.

How I Build Your Defense

Many fraud cases collapse under scrutiny because prosecutors mischaracterize legitimate business conduct as fraudulent. As your Oregon attorney for fraud, I examine every transaction and communication the prosecution claims supports fraud allegations. I review contracts, financial records, emails, and statements to show lack of criminal intent. I challenge whether any material fact was actually false or whether parties involved understood the circumstances. I work with forensic accountants and experts to demonstrate that complex financial transactions were legal, not attempts to commit fraud. 

What Sets My Defense Apart

Last Updated: October 2026
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Lena Martinez profile picture
Lena Martinez
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Mr Robert Southwell was very professional and very caring about my needs. I would highly recommend him.
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Shawn Kanan profile picture
Shawn Kanan
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Robert represented me well. It took over a year to settle everything, but he found some middle ground with the state that saved me another 10 years of problems. I highly recommend him.

Owner's reply
Thank you Shawn! Best of luck to your family
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AJ Val profile picture
AJ Val
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Robert Southwell will get it done ✔️ he is the gold standard for criminal defense. He helped me navigate through a very tough time in my life, he is professional and experienced. My expectations were exceeded and Im able to breathe a much needed sigh of relief.

Owner's reply
Thank you AJ
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Sylvia Lydon profile picture
Sylvia Lydon
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I was listened to, heard and felt that the information I was giving him was processed to the best our attorney could understand. His advise was valuable and the case closed. What more could you want of an attorney? He also gave me a refund because he did not spend hours in dealing with the issue. Need I say more? Highly recommend him.

Owner's reply
Thank you Sylvia!
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Omar Dakhil profile picture
Omar Dakhil
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I am incredibly grateful to Southwell Law Group for their help with a charge that was over 14 years old. For years, this unresolved matter affected my life, and I didn’t know where to turn. Southwell Law Group stepped in, took my situation seriously, and handled everything with professionalism, urgency, and care. They were knowledgeable, thorough, and clear in explaining my options and the legal process. Most importantly, they treated me with respect and never made me feel judged for something from my past. Their experience and attention to detail made a real difference, and they helped me finally move forward. If you are dealing with an old case or a situation you think can’t be fixed, I highly recommend Southwell Law Group. They gave me peace of mind and real results when I needed it most.

Owner's reply
Thank you Omar!
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Abril Martinez profile picture
Abril Martinez
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Mr southwell handled my case. At first I thought the worst not anything he had done but because of my faith in the justice system because of my crimanal past I had over 20 yrs ago. Mr. Southwell explained what he was doing but I still would have no faith. Untill now he completely has restored my faith. He didn't make me pled guilty or agree to any plead bargen. For 11 months he worked my case and to my surprise he had my case closed all charges were dropped. I am so thankful for Mr southwell if it was for his hard work I would be in prison. I would recommend Mr southwell to any one and everyone and once again from bottom of my heart THANK YOU MR. SOUTHWELL...

Owner's reply
Thank you April. Glad we got a dismissal
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Pat Rogers profile picture
Pat Rogers
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Best you can get truly a caring a good dude will get the best results possible

Owner's reply
Thank you!
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Josh Howard profile picture
Josh Howard
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I give Southwell law 5 stars because I've had my share of attorneys in my time and this is the first time ever that an attorney has ever really done any work for me and generally had my best interest at heart . Southwell law is not lazy and will do their best to come to a solution for your best interest. They do not work for the DA and they really know what they are doing. If there were 10 stars id give them 10. Thanks Southwell law.

Owner's reply
Thank you Josh. Best of luck to you! Glad we were able to resolve your case for $100 fine.

Success Stories

Real results. Real clients. Proven defense strategies.
Attorney Robert Southwell will fight tirelessly to achieve the best result possible in your case.
Phone icon for contacting Southwell Law

OR CALL US 24/7 AT

(971) 336-7537

Your Next Move

Fraud investigations move quickly once charges are filed, and early mistakes can cost you your freedom and financial future. Early action from an experienced fraud attorney shapes the legal process and prevents damaging statements to state agents. Call now for a free consultation, available 7 days a week, or fill out the contact form and you’ll hear back within 24 hours.

Flat fees. No surprises. Real-time updates.

528 Cottage Street NE

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Salem, OR, 97301

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FAQ

What are the most common types of fraud you defend against?

As your fraud attorney, I defend the full range of Oregon state fraud and white collar charges, including identity theft, mail and wire fraud, insurance fraud, healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, forgery in the first and second degree, computer crime, aggravated theft, and theft by deception under Oregon’s theft statutes. I also handle related charges such as criminal possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of a forgery device.

Are fraud cases hard to defend?

Not when you have an experienced, local fraud lawyer who understands Oregon’s fraud statutes and how prosecutors build their cases. The state must prove you acted with criminal intent, meaning you knowingly deceived someone or used false information to obtain money or property. Many fraud allegations arise from business disputes or misunderstandings that prosecutors wrongly criminalize. Proving intent beyond a reasonable doubt is genuinely difficult, and a strong defense exposes the gap between disputed conduct and actual criminal fraud under Oregon law.

What common defenses exist in criminal fraud cases?

Lack of criminal intent is the primary defense, showing you didn’t intend to commit fraud or deceive anyone. Good faith business dealings demonstrate legitimate conduct, not fraudulent schemes. Material misstatements must be proven actually false, not merely optimistic projections or opinions. Showing that all parties understood the circumstances eliminates claims of deception. Constitutional violations during investigation can result in evidence suppression. Insufficient evidence to prove fraud beyond reasonable doubt leads to acquittal. Many fraud allegations stem from civil disputes that prosecutors wrongly criminalize. In complex financial cases, including those involving securities or investment disputes, an experienced investment fraud lawyer can help demonstrate when matters properly belong in civil court rather than criminal litigation.

Can you help with both criminal charges and civil cases?

I focus exclusively on criminal defense, not civil court matters. When you’re facing fraud charges, criminal litigation takes priority because it threatens your freedom with jail time or prison time. Civil cases involve money damages but not incarceration. Many fraud allegations begin as civil disputes between parties involved in business deals before prosecutors wrongly criminalize them. My legal services as a criminal fraud attorney focus on defeating criminal charges, suppressing evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and winning at trial. Once criminal matters are resolved, you can address any related civil court issues with appropriate counsel, but criminal defense comes first.

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